Calling green-fingered types

[Ant]

My dracaena marginata is looking rather poorly. It came on rather suddenly and coincided with us getting our kitten. I think fresh soil may be in order. I was wondering, rather than just bunging in some compost, whether there was anything more I can do to ensure it recovers and grows well. Does anyone know whether it prefers acidic or alkaline soil? Should I put shards of broken pot at the bottom? (I've heard that's something people do. Not sure why. Drainage?) Any advice welcomed.

[Doodles]

Should be hard to kill and probably doesn?t need new compost unless the kitten is to blame. Cat pee kills most things.

Don?t over water, soil shouldn?t feel damp. Broken crocks are to aid drainage. Good luck

[Ant]

It's definitely been a second litter tray on at least one occasion. :(

[Doodles]

In which case replacing the soil may be an idea. If for no other reason than the smell. Any light soil will do. It isnt fussy re acid/ alkaline.(The plant, dont know about the cat).

[*Bob*]

How does one deter our feline friends from slashing in the flower beds?

Does anyone have any hot tips?

[Asset]

Needs good drainage, crocking is essential, is there a hole in the bottom?. No plant likes to sit with roots in water. Overwatering is the most common cause of house plant death. How big is it? Does it need repotting? When you say it looks poorly, description please.

Dracaena needs a lot of light.

[Asset]

I've said this before and got scoffed at, but you can buy lion poo pellets online which are for deterring cats.

[*Bob*]

Hmm.. There does indeed seem to be much google-support for lion poo pellets.

It must be worth a go.. cheers.

[Ant]

It's between four and five foot tall, in a glazed ceramic pot that's about 20 inches in diameter. It's dropped a lot of leaves very quickly and many others have turned a sickly looking yellow. The pot doesn't have a hole in the bottom. I think there's some gravel at the bottom under the compost, but that's it as far as drainage goes. We moved it out into the garden to give it more light and get it away from the cat - it was a bit happier for a while but I think then it may have been a bit overwatered, what with all the rain.

[Asset]

Pot size is fine I would say. Overwatering with no drainage is most probable cause. It is after all a desert plant and can handle much dryness.

You need to remove it from the pot and check the roots are not rotted. If no rot, repot with plenty of crocks in the bottom and in John Innes no. 2 loam based compost with the addition of some horticultural grit. Remove the yellow leaves and hope for the best. Let the compost dry out completely in between waterings.

If there is some rotted root, cut them away before repotting. If all roots are rotten, chuck it.

[Ant]

Thanks Asset - I'll let you know how it goes.

[Doodles]

Lion poo works until it rains. You can also get them from London Zoo if you ask and smile. But they Seem to get less effective with each downpour. Tea bags soaked in Jayes fluid work but stink.

I?ve even tried one of those ultra sound things. Seems to work for squirrels but not moggies.